Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Rye

Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Rye 94 proof, Barrel No. 16-7698, bottled 11/29/16 2/11/18 Time to conquer my fear of J.D.! Figured it was now or never, and "single barrel" and "rye" are just the triggers to convince me to take the plunge, despite the omens of banana runts and my total dislike of Old No. 7 and Gentleman's. A: Caramel dark copper with beady lacing that forms droplets, the larger of which descend to form legs. N: Very sour morello cherry atop a hint of sun-ripened banana peel. Sharp and sour, though not harsh, just very forward. That morello cherry jumps out of the glass. There a bit of caramel creme candy at the tail end if you're looking for it. Grassy or minty notes are nowhere, though there may just be the slightest of a star anise note hiding beneath the dominant cherry pie. T: Spicy lavender and sandalwood, fresh plums, lilac, honeysuckle, and cayenne pepper with a Bubble-Yum bugglegum tail end... Yes, at first, this presents like the infamous banana runts candy. However, dissecting the profile reveals some really special fresh floral flavors that are pretty exciting. The sweetness is like the nectar of honeysuckle and the bitterness balances it just like chewing the petals of a violet. All of the spice is like a ripe chili pepper, a capsacin spiciness and not a phenolic one, with plenty of berry fruitiness along for the ride. The texture does have some oiliness, but like a peanut oil, and it dances in a lively way, pricking your tongue all over as it taps its shoes. F: There's a resiny, waxiness that lightly adheres to the tongue all down the center of the tongue from fromt to back, with light warmth in the sides of the mouth. It finshes like a candy, but like a Twizzler, waxy and cherry. Then comes the barrel, and it's like we have just licked the inside stave of a toasty one, freshly dumped. O: This is a really fun drink. The sweetness is a unique fruity-floral one rather than your standard vanilla and caramel, corn, and maybe honey. Despite banana runts being an adequate descriptor, I do not think this tastes artificial or sugary. OK, you've convinced me. I'm no longer afraid of J.D.

Amber in color. Light bodied with a milky mouthfeel. Nose: ripe fruit and vanilla sweetness show up first, followed by hints of spice and toasted oakiness. Palate: fruity sweetness and vanilla at the front. Oak and spiciness joining in the middle. Heats up towards the end. Finish is relatively dry and quick with lingering spices enticing the palate. I’d give this a 3.4/5 so 3 on here. Good but not mind blowing. Definitely an enjoyable dram nonetheless!

Color: Amber Nose: Fruit, vanilla sweetness and spice with underlying oak. Palate: Light bodied. Spice, vanilla lead the way with fruitiness and oak in the middle followed by a quick, dry, and spicy finish.

tried at distillery...not typically a rye fan but was pleasently surprised with this one